First THE RISE OF SKYWALKER reactions are in after world premiere

Yesterday I told myself I wouldn’t look. I don’t need to know what the first viewers of the last movie in the Star Wars Skywalker saga thought about the movie. Do I?

Well guess what I did first thing when my alarm clock went off at 1:30am?

I rushed right to Twitter to see what all of those lucky people were thinking when they walked out of THE RISE OF SKYWALKER’s world premiere. Here’s a roundup of RISE OF SKYWALKER reactions.

First, some are just plain gushing about it.

Just stepped out of #TheRiseofSkywalker. It’s an immensely satisfying and MASSIVE end to the saga. It somehow addresses issues, problematic characters, and most unanswered questions from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi too. pic.twitter.com/TMKeXCXuUx

#StarWars#TheRiseOfSkywalker…OH MY GOD! I am absolutely blown away! I’ve never been so satisfied by a film. This is the end of an era and a franchise that has defined my life and this did it justice in a way I didn’t imagine it could. You WILL cry…. pic.twitter.com/Jfx5bzdZOO

Epic. All of it. #TheRiseofSkywalker is a terrific finale that is just stuffed with so much of everything. Action, adventure — answers!! — humor, heart, love, and grit. I spent the entire second half with tears in my eyes – a wonderful way to end the Skywalker story pic.twitter.com/K2NhHSGWzM

Then, there are those who had a positive reaction, but you can tell that there was SOMETHING they didn’t like…

My favorite Star Wars are the ones that take their time and focus on the characters. The whole first half felt like all exposition. It does get better. And Lando rules. But there’s just so much plot it feels so rushed. And the Emperor stuff is so weird.

At worst, I expected #TheRiseOfSkywalker to be a well made movie that I didn't like or whose story choices I disagreed with. I was not expecting a genuinely bad movie with video game plotting, thin characters, weak action and endless exposition of no consequence. Heartbreaking…

But the biggest takeaway from all of the reactions I’m reading? A LOT happens in this movie. It sounds like we’re going to get a lot of plot. Personally, I’m happy to hear that there may be a lot of answers. Just have to remember to bring the notepad.

Man does #TheRiseOfSkwalker MOVE. This film hits the ground running & doesn’t let up. JJ’s energy is all over this thing. A Last Crusade style adventure. The bromance between Poe & Finn steals the film. Felt a bit more concerned w/plot than character, tad rushed, good not great. pic.twitter.com/S4tbDhXG35

Wow. Wow. Wow. #TheRiseOfSkywalker delivers. So much happens in this film it’s hard to get my head around. But it gets this epic ending right. So right. JJ Abrams and team nails it. And gives a whole new appreciation for The Last Jedi in the process. Please avoid sppolers!

I’ll leave it there. Some of the reactions are getting into details I didn’t want to know about. I’ll be seeing the movie in the “fan first screening” on Thursday, can’t wait to see how they wrap this all up!

Today, I'm on the Chicago airwaves at WGN Television - feature reporter of the early 4-6am hours of the WGN Morning News. I get to meet some fascinating people from all around the area and share their stories with viewers. It's an amazing job that takes me to a different place and has me learning something new every day.